Have You Been Charged With A Drunk Driving Offense?

Drinking and driving is never advisable. Still, mistakes happen, and if you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), you could be facing significant legal consequences. A DUI conviction can have a major, lasting impact on your life, so how you confront such a serious charge is important.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can help. At Cook & Tolley, LLP, our lawyers recognize the severity of a DUI offense in Georgia, and we work tirelessly to provide our Athens clients with committed legal counsel.

A Conviction Can Elicit Harsh Penalties

Because driving under the influence poses such a serious threat to motorists, the penalties for a conviction can be severe. Some consequences for a DUI offense in the state of Georgia include:

• License suspension
• Jail time
• Community service
• Fines
• Probation
• The mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device

A DUI can result in a felony charge. Having a felony on your record can greatly hinder your ability to find employment and a place to live. A DUI can also result in a considerable increase in your insurance premiums, adding an even greater financial burden on top of costly fines.

An Aggressive Defense Strategy

While a DUI charge is indeed serious, many viable defense strategies are possible. A seasoned DUI attorney will be able to assess your case and compose a strategy that gives you the best possible chance of keeping your license and your freedom. Some possible defenses include:

• Contesting the traffic stop: It is likely that your DUI charge came as the result of a routine traffic stop. If your arresting officer did not have probable cause to stop your vehicle, the case against you may be weak.
• Challenging your field sobriety test: Police officers do not always administer field sobriety tests accurately. A faulty test could strengthen your defense.
• Questioning the validity of your implied consent notice: When an individual is arrested for DUI, they are subjected to a mandatory chemical test for alcohol. This is known as “implied consent.” If your arresting officer does not properly read you your implied consent notice, those results may be inadmissible in court.

Every DUI case is different, and as such, they merit different defense approaches. At Cook & Tolley, LLP, our attorneys offer more than 50 years of experience, and we can tailor a strategy that confronts the weaknesses of the case against you.

Contact Our Firm Today

If you are facing a DUI charge and are unsure where to turn, the lawyers at Cook & Tolley, LLP can help. Call us today at 706-549-6111 for more information. You can also reach our office via email to schedule an initial consultation.

Practicing attorneys: Devin Hartness Smith, Edward D. Tolley, Spencer Tolley